What is Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery is an elective cosmetic surgery procedure that treats the eyelids—upper, lower or both—by removing excess skin and, thereby giving you a more youthful appearance. Eyelid surgery is also known as blepharoplasty, which is sometimes called an eyelid lift or an eye lift.

Before and After Photos

Am I a Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?

If you’re a healthy adult man or woman with realistic goals about the number of years that eyelid surgery will “erase” from your appearance, you’re probably a good candidate. No surgeon in the world can make you look 20 again, but getting rid of the bags and sags in the eye area can go a long way to making you look younger.

Although rare, there are some individuals whose vision is actually impaired by their drooping upper lids. If you notice that your upper eyelids make it difficult to see as well as you used to because they’re drooping so much, we can order a test to be performed by an ophthalmologist to reveal whether an upper eyelid lift will help you see better. If you fail the test, your health insurance might cover the upper eyelid lift because it’s “medically necessary,” not just something that will make you look younger.

Eyelid surgery can be performed alone or in conjunction with any other procedure. It’s most often performed with a facelift, since a facelift doesn’t “include” a blepharoplasty. In my experience, if you have facial aging to the extent that a face lift would improve your appearance, you probably have the same level of aging in your eye area.

Remember, when you see me in consultation at one of my two Kalamazoo area plastic surgery locations, I’ll discuss all your options with you. At Southwest Michigan Plastic Surgery, my staff and I are 100% committed to your awareness of all your options, so you can make an informed decision regarding your blepharoplasty—or any other—procedure. As with any elective cosmetic surgery, the goal of eyelid surgery is to make you look younger. Not different. Not odd. Not stretched or tight. Younger and rested.

Where Will My Eyelid Surgery Be Performed?

All of my cosmetic surgery procedures, including blepharoplasties, are performed in one of two local accredited ambulatory surgical facilities near my Southwest Michigan plastic surgery office. I always work with board certified anesthesiologists. Many of the operating room staff at these centers have been working closely with me for the past 15 years. These same-day surgery centers offer you the safety of a hospital operating room without the exposure to hospital-based bacteria, plus the benefit of a friendly, caring, and personalized experience.

How Is Eyelid Surgery Performed?

Prior to your procedure, I will “mark” your eyelids with a special pen. Once general anesthesia has been performed, I will make an incision in the lower lid just behind the lower lashes. I’ll lift the drooping lid and remove any extra skin before putting in very tiny sutures. The upper lid is likewise treated with the incision in the crease of the eye, where it will be virtually invisible after healing. An ellipse of skin is removed, then the skin is closed with tiny sutures.

Recovery From Eyelid Surgery

Most of my Michigan blepharoplasty patients are surprised that they have so little discomfort after their procedure. You will have swelling and bruising afterwards, easily treated with icepacks. Sitting up for the first few nights, in a recliner, can help keep the swelling down. It’s unlikely you’ll need any strong pain medications. If you wear contacts, you’ll want to wait a week or so before putting them in again, as your eye area will be a bit tender. You’ll see me in one of my two plastic surgery offices within a day or so after your procedure and in a week or 10 days we’ll remove the sutures that aren’t absorbable.

The old saying, “The eyes are the windows to the soul,” is still true. If you always look angry or sleepy, it may be due to drooping eyelids that can easily be remedied with eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty. My blepharoplasty patients are delighted with their appearance afterwards, and I know you will be, too. I look forward to meeting with you to discover how a blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery can change your appearance for the younger!